In a stunning development in the death of 19-year-old Anna Kepner, the FBI has publicly confirmed the existence of an internal disciplinary document from the cruise ship where she died — a document showing that one crew member was suspended less than 24 hours after Anna’s body was discovered.
The revelation came after investigators obtained previously hidden CCTV footage from a maintenance-only corridor — footage the cruise line initially denied existed.
The Suspended Employee
According to the document, the employee — whose identity remains sealed under federal protection — worked in Security & Logistics, a role giving them access to restricted decks and camera systems.
They were suspended for:
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“Unauthorized entry into guest corridors”
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“Failure to report an incident involving a passenger”
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“Tampering with surveillance access logs”
FBI agents now believe these violations are directly connected to Anna’s final moments.
The Secret CCTV Footage
The newly recovered footage, described by one federal official as “deeply disturbing,” shows Anna moving through a dim, narrow corridor typically used only by staff.
But it’s what happens 20 seconds later that has stunned investigators:
A girl, believed to be between 14 and 16, appears behind Anna — following her closely, almost matching her steps.
The footage then shows the girl:
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Lunging toward Anna, grabbing her by the arm
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Shoving her violently against the wall
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And whispering something that caused Anna to recoil in visible panic
Authorities have not revealed the audio, but one investigator said the words were “chilling and personal.”
Moments later, Anna stumbles away down the hall.
The girl remains in frame, breathing hard, before retreating into a staff access door that only crew members or their approved associates can open.
Why the FBI Is Focusing on the Suspended Employee
Investigators now believe the suspended staff member:
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Let the unknown girl onto the hidden maintenance deck,
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Disabled two cameras that should have captured the encounter, and
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Covered up contact with Anna hours before her death.
A federal source told reporters:
“This girl should not have been on that deck. Someone put her there.”
The FBI is now working to identify the teenage girl seen in the clip, as she may be the last person to interact with Anna before she died.
